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Christ has sent and empowered us to reveal His story. All that s required is for us to take small steps marked by boldness and faith. We re inviting you to join us as we share our story with one person each on the 27th of May. As we do this, we will grow in confidence as we begin to see that our story is worth sharing. Our dream is not simply for the 27th of May, but for everyday thereafter - we want to equip you for the work of ongoing ministry beyond Global Outreach Day. Over the following four sessions, we will be exploring God s story, learning how we can share our own story and throughout it all, growing in confidence as we step out as storytellers. IMAGINE THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS ACROSS THE ISLAND OF IRELAND ON ONE DAY SHARING THE STORY OF CHRIST WITH THOSE CLOSEST TO THEM. OUR VISION IS TO SEE THE DIVERSE BODY OF CHRIST FROM ACROSS DENOMINATIONS, ACROSS TRADITIONS AND ACROSS BACKGROUNDS, SCATTERING THROUGHOUT THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON THE 27TH OF MAY TO SHARE HOW CHRIST HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES. PAGE 2 It s best to work through each of the sessions with others, whether it s a bunch of friends, a small group, a youth group or as part of your Sunday Gatherings. Why not share some food together and leave plenty of space for conversation and laughter! SIGN UP Each session includes a short teaching video (which you can download via our website - ireland.globaloutreachday. com), which will set up the conversation questions that follow. OVERVIEW As we build up towards Global Outreach Day, we would love you to register on our website. This will allow us to keep in touch with you and to build a picture of what is happening across the island of Ireland on the 27th of May. Visit the Sign Up section on ireland.globaloutreachday.com PAGE 3
God s story SESSION ONE SHARING THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST IS NOT RESERVED FOR A FEW, WE ALL GET TO PLAY. AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, EACH OF US HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING STORYTELLERS. IN THIS SESSION, WE WILL EXPLORE THE KEY THREADS OF GOD S STORY AS WE LOOK AT THE MAIN CHARACTER, THE STORYLINE AND THE SUPPORTING CAST. PAGE 4 SESSION ONE PAGE 5 GOD S STORY
PRAY As you get started, take a moment to pray together, inviting God to speak to you. READ Read 1 John 4: 7-21 and 1 John 3: 1-3. What stands out as you read these passages? What might God be saying to you? WATCH Watch the video God s Story TALK Take time to discuss the following questions: 1. What words do you use to describe God? You may want to make a list of all the names mentioned. 2. God s Story can be described as a love story, between Him and us, His children. What does it mean to be a child of God? How does this new identity bring new meaning to our lives? 3. God s Story can be viewed through five acts: CREATION FALL REDEMPTION RESURRECTION RECREATION. What has happened/is happening in each of these acts? How do these acts relate to our own stories? DO Take some time individually either during the session, or afterwards, to read Luke 15: 11-32. Reflect on the following questions. You may want to write down some thoughts or share your answers with someone. 1. How has God demonstrated His unconditional love for you? 2. In this parable, we see that God is not distant, but runs to be close to us, in the reality of our lives. Describe an experience in your own life when God was real, personal and present in His Fatherly relationship with you? PRAY At the end of the session, take some time to pray for each other. You may want to pray specifically that you all may once again, confidently take hold of your identity as a child of God, loved unconditionally by the Father. Finish by praying this blessing together: Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; This day/week be within and without me, Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; + In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen *Taken from the Northumbria Community s Morning Prayer PAGE 6 SESSION ONE SESSION ONE PAGE 7 GOD S STORY GOD S STORY
Your story is worth sharing SESSION TWO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE AND YOU ARE BEST PLACED TO SHARE IT. IN YOUR STORY OF ENCOUNTERING THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST, YOU HAVE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TOOLS AT YOUR DISPOSAL - ALL WE NEED TO DO IS GROW IN CONFIDENCE AND SHARE IT. IN THIS SESSION, WE WILL EXPLORE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ARTICULATE YOUR OWN FAITH STORY. PAGE 8 SESSION TWO PAGE 9 YOUR STORY IS WORTH SHARING
PRAY As you get started, take a moment to pray together, inviting God to speak to you. READ Read Acts 26: 1-23 What stands out as you read these passage? What might God be saying to you? WATCH Watch the video Your Story is Worth Sharing TALK Take time to discuss the following questions: 1. As you reflect on Jude s story, Paul s story in Acts and even your own, what do you notice about each of the three chapters: LIFE BEFORE GOD THE ENCOUNTER WITH GRACE LIFE WITH CHRIST? 2. What holds us back from sharing our story with others? learn from the experience and is there anything you would do differently next time? DO As we look towards Global Outreach Day, we want to provide space for you to practice sharing your story with someone else. 1. Take ten minutes by yourself and under each of the chapters, note down some key points about your story. What did/does life look like in each of the chapters? LIFE BEFORE GOD THE ENCOUNTER WITH GRACE LIFE WITH CHRIST. 2. Find a partner in your group and in five minutes, simply share your story by following each of the chapters. After you ve shared your story, invite your partner to do the same. 3. Feedback to each other. How did it feel to share and receive the stories? Encourage each other. PRAY At the end of the session, take some time to pray for your partner. You may want to give thanks for how God has made Himself known in your stories and pray for confidence to share your story with others. Finish by praying this blessing together: Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; This day/week be within and without me, Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; + In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen 3. In your group, invite someone to describe a time when they shared their faith story with someone. How did you feel in that moment? How did the hearer respond? With reflection, what did you PAGE 10 SESSION TWO SESSION TWO PAGE 11 YOUR STORY IS WORTH SHARING YOUR STORY IS WORTH SHARING
Becoming Storytellers SESSION THREE WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU TO PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE AND SHARE YOUR STORY? ON GLOBAL OUTREACH DAY, YOU WILL BE JOINING WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD WHO WILL ALSO BE STEPPING BEYOND FEAR AND RAISING THEIR VOICE. YET NONE OF US DO THIS ALONE AS GOD, BY HIS SPIRIT IS PRESENT WITH US. IN THIS SESSION WE WILL LOOK TOWARDS - THE DAY WE BECOME STORYTELLERS. PAGE 12 SESSION THREE PAGE 13 BECOMING STORYTELLERS
PRAY As you get started, take a moment to pray together, inviting God to speak to you. READ Read Matthew 28: 16-20 and Acts 1: 1-11 What stands out as you read these passages? What might God be saying to you? WATCH Watch the video Becoming Storytellers DO As we look towards Global Outreach Day, we want to provide space for you to think who you may share your story with and how will you do it. 1. Take ten minutes by yourself and pray for God s leading towards one person who you will share your story with on Global Outreach Day. 2. Following prayer, begin to think about how you will start a conversation with that person. If you are needing some ideas, check out the next page. TALK Take time to discuss the following questions with your group: 1. Jesus said to His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, to go and be witnesses. What does this mean for us today? 2. As we approach Global Outreach Day, we want to encourage and support each other in sharing our story. With that in mind, begin to ask each other: who is the person you ve been led to and how are you going to share your story with them? 3. Use this time to share ideas and to grow in confidence. Take note of each other s plans, so that you can be praying for them as they go to share their story. Through the discussion, encourage each other to commit to the person they ve been led to beyond Global Outreach Day. PRAY At the end of the session, take some time to pray together. You may want stand and lay hands on each other to welcome the Holy Spirit s power to become storytellers. Pray for a fresh sense of confidence in owning and sharing our stories. Finally pray that in sharing our stories, people may experience the grace of Jesus Christ for themselves. Finish by praying this blessing together: Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; This day/week be within and without me, Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; + In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen PAGE 14 SESSION THREE SESSION THREE PAGE 15 BECOMING STORYTELLERS BECOMING STORYTELLERS
We believe that wisdom and the best ideas will already be in the room with you, but if you do need some inspiration, here are a few suggestions of what you could do on Global Outreach Day. Here are a few ideas of what you could do. Throw a community party in a local park or square. Ideas ON, WE ARE INVITING YOU TO DO THE SIMPLE, YET MOST POWERFUL THING - SHARING YOUR STORY WITH ONE PERSON IN A WAY THAT S MOST NATURAL TO YOU. As you have conversations with your group, you will come up with great ideas of how to share your story on Global Outreach Day in a way that is relevant to you and your community. Be open and dream big. Make the most of opportunities already present on the 27th of May, whether it is with your sports team, at the coffee shop you visit or the place you work. Invite a friend out for coffee or round for a meal. Offer to practically serve someone in your community. When speaking to a friend, ask if you can pray for them. Host a party for your neighbours. Invite someone to a gathering at your Church or Parish. Start an Alpha Course for your friends and invite them along. The opportunities are endless. What could you do on the 27th of May? IDEAS FOR YOUR CHURCH OR PARISH As a Church or Parish, you may want to do something together on Global Outreach Day. Bless your surrounding community through practical service opportunities e.g. clean ups, DIY work, etc. Start an Alpha Course for the community and encourage Church members to invite friends along. Host a special gathering for people to find out more about the love of Jesus. STARTING THE CONVERSATION Whenever it comes to beginning the conversation as we share our story, we all feel a little nervous - that is normal! We would encourage you to keep the conversation as natural as possible but if it does help to get you going, you may want to use expressions like: What s the most important part of your personal story?, Today, millions of people are sharing their story and why they follow Jesus; could I share my story with you?, Have you ever wondered why I love Jesus?, or If it were possible to know God personally, would you be interested? PAGE 16 IDEAS IDEAS PAGE 17
WATCH Watch the video Everyday Everyday SESSION FOUR STORY REPORT We would love to hear your stories of what happened on the 27th May. If you have a story to share with us, head to the Story Report section our website, ireland.globaloutreachday.com and fill us in with how you got on. OUR DREAM IS TO EQUIP YOU TO SEE THAT YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE, NOT JUST ON ONE DAY, BUT EVERYDAY. WE WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP GOING AFTER, BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE PRACTICES YOU HAVE ENGAGED IN: Pray for opportunities to share God s story with those in your community. Be open to who God is leading you towards. Share your story with someone and invite them to step into God s story for themselves. Walk along side that person on their journey towards faith. As you make the move from being a storyteller on one day to everyday, remember that your story is worth sharing and may you grow in confidence as you see the wonders of God s Story as it transforms the lives of those around you. PAGE 18 SESSION FOUR PAGE 19 EVERYDAY
SIGN UP As we build up towards Global Outreach Day, we would love you to register on our website. This will allow us to keep in touch with you and to build a picture of what is happening across the island of Ireland on the 27th of May. Visit the Sign Up section on ireland.globaloutreachday.com IRELAND.GLOBALOUTREACHDAY.COM